The two n descending the mountain chatted as they walked. Zhao Zhen asked Shang Lu about matters concerning the Taoist temple.
Shang Lu naturally answered, “I once walked out from right here.”
Zhao Zhen didn’t understand at first. But after hearing the explanation, he felt a bit surprised.
“You were a Taoist in the past?”
Shang Lu nodded and said, “A half-committed Taoist. Later, our old Master thought staying on the mountain was wasting our talents. So he drove all my senior and junior siblings and down the mountain.”
Zhao Zhen frowned upon hearing this and asked, “As far as I know, that Heavenly Path Taoist also ca from this Flowing Cloud Temple.”
“That was my martial uncle.”
Shang Lu said, “After our Ancestral Master passed away long ago, both my martial uncles left the mountain. Only my Master stayed behind to beco the temple leader. My senior and junior siblings and I were children our Master adopted from the foot of the mountain. The snow that year was truly too heavy. We nearly didn’t survive.”
“But speaking of my martial uncle, he brought this on himself. That Alchemy path was really about deceiving people. In truth, it produced poisonous pills. It was bound to lead to calamity sooner or later.”
Zhao Zhen expressed agreent upon hearing this. “It’s good Brother Lu understands this clearly.”
“Yes.”
Shang Lu nodded and then asked, “What about you?”
“?”
“You bear the surna Zhao, and travel with so many Shadow Guards. Surely you are no ordinary royal relative. Earlier you also ntioned the Qingbo Marquis. Could you be a marquis?”
Zhao Zhen nodded. “Exactly.”
Shang Lu asked, “Xinglong was also fake, right?”
Zhao Zhen admitted, “Yongding Marquis, Zhao Quan.”
Shang Lu nodded upon hearing this and said, “That makes sense. Rumor says the Yongding Marquis and the Qingbo Marquis have never gotten along. There have been plenty of secret clashes between them too.”
“In your view, it was the Qingbo Marquis who tried to kill you? What deep hatred did he have for you, to actually draw his butcher’s blade? If anyone found out, wouldn’t it be a grave cri?”
“It was because of estate matters.”
Zhao Zhen waved a hand dismissively. “It’s all in the past. Best not to ntion it.”
Shang Lu nodded. “Alright.”
As they walked, Zhao Zhen suddenly paused.
“How about you tell about that man just now?”
“Mr. Chen?”
“Yes.”
Shang Lu thought for a mont and asked, “Why did Brother Zhao co south to this place?”
Zhao Zhen glanced at him and said, “Before he died, the Heavenly Path Taoist spoke of an Immortal of Longevity. He also ntioned Autumn Moon Market, and a certain Mr. Chen.”
“Besides, years ago when punishing the Rebel Army, there was a Sword Immortal with Peach Blossoms who raided the execution ground. Every person he rescued, without exception, was from Autumn Moon Market. On my journey south this ti, I saw that painting made by Young Master Wen. So I thought to myself, perhaps right here in this world, such a thing as the so-called Immortal of Longevity truly exists.”
“So Brother Zhao does know of Mr. Chen.”
“Indeed…”
Zhao Zhen looked back at the mountain behind him and said, “Yet after eting him, I felt sowhat disappointed.”
“Disappointed?” Shang Lu asked.
Zhao Zhen exhaled slowly. “Truth is, I never believed those tales of Ghost Deities and Divination. Though this Mr. Chen did correctly guess what was in my mind, I’ve witnessed too many talented and unusual n over the years. People who can read minds by watching expressions are hardly rare. I don’t believe he truly divined it.”
Shang Lu shook his head upon hearing this. “No harm in disbelieving. Brother Zhao has already missed his chance now. Whatever is said is too late anyway.”
Zhao Zhen asked, “You truly believe he calculated it?”
Shang Lu closed his mouth and did not answer, rely saying, “Up ahead must be Autumn Moon Market. I will buy two peaches.”
Zhao Zhen glanced at him and shook his head.
He thought this man intelligent, so why was he confused about such things?
Shang Lu browsed the market stalls for a long ti. He saw many kinds of peaches, but never found the perfectly satisfying one.
Zhao Zhen asked, “Weren’t those we saw earlier quite good?”
Shang Lu said, “Our old Master loved eating peaches when he was alive. But back then, the temple was poor. We could only afford peaches once a year. Every ti, the Master would haggle back and forth with the sellers. To get the biggest, sweetest peaches, he might wait until sunset, when the sellers packed up for the day. Even so, the Master always ate the worst peaches. The good ones he saved for us.”
He smiled. “I just want to pick the very best one.”
Zhao Zhen said after hearing this. “Your Master was truly benevolent.”
Shang Lu was often humble. But when Zhao Zhen said this, he answered, “I think so too.”
Just as he had said, Shang Lu combed through the entire Autumn Moon Market. He bought the biggest, sweetest peaches. He didn’t eat a single one. He carried them all back up the mountain.
By the ti they returned to the mountain, dusk had fallen.
The mountain woods darkened. They had to watch their steps carefully.
Zhao Zhen diligently practiced swordsmanship and internal energy techniques. This small journey posed no challenge for him. Yet despite being a fifth-rank warrior himself, he couldn’t compare to Young Master Lu’s eighth rank.
Martial arts in this world were ranked in nine grades. Seventh Rank was Grandmaster. Eighth Rank was Paragon Master. As for the Ninth Rank? Never had anyone attained it.
Upon entering the temple again, Zhao Zhen took a fresh look around.
This second viewing made him feel every part of the temple seed strange.
The dead Peach Tree.
The man dressed in black sitting at the stone table.
The empty, silent Main Hall.
The incense burner without any burning incense.
Nothing felt quite right.
This ti, Moyuan gave him no trouble. The man simply sat at the stone table, watching him with keen interest.
Zhao Zhen paid him no mind. He followed Shang Lu to the backyard.
Shang Lu fetched so Incense and Candles from the Main Hall. Then, grasping the peaches, he approached his Master’s grave.
According to proper ritual, however, he first had to offer peaches to the Ancestral Master, then only to his own Master.
Shang Lu burned the Yellow Joss Paper for ancestor worship and lit the Incense and Candles.
He took a deep breath, holding the incense upright before him, and said, “Your unfilial disciple is ashad. I arrived late by so days. I could not keep vigil for you, Master, nor fulfill my filial duties. I truly did wrong.”
Shang Lu bowed three tis. His words were full of apology. Then he began speaking of those early years. The words just kept coming.
Zhao Zhen stood far away and did not disturb. Words spoken near death and life must never be overheard.
Chen Changsheng, holding a book, ca to Zhao Zhen’s side and asked, “Shangg Lu and his practice siblings were all people of deep sincerity. Sadly, this world is harsh. The blink of an eye can separate yin and yang.”
Zhao Zhen paused. He looked over this man and asked, “Compared to that, I’m more curious how you made him believe you. To my mind, he seems a rational man. Yet he believes in your smooth-talking with nothing but wild tales.”
Chen Changsheng smiled slightly. “Prince of Xiang finds this puzzling?”
Zhao Zhen narrowed his eyes slightly. “Since you are within Da Xiang territory, shouldn’t you address as “Your Majesty” instead of “Prince of Xiang?”
Chen Changsheng shook his head. “This one does not belong to these lands. Therefore, there’s no need for honorifics like “Your Majesty”.”
Zhao Zhen gave a soft snort but did not press the point further.
“I do not care for ddling as a rule. But he saved my life. I cannot let him be misled into trusting a villain.”
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